NSW: have a say on guidelines for future play spaces

08 Aug, 2018

254

The NSW Government has invited the community to provide feedback on new design guidelines which are aimed at making play spaces across NSW more inclusive for everyone in the community.

Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, declared earlier this morning that the ‘Everyone Can Play’ guidelines are in place to form a reference for the creation of world-class play spaces, meaning they are inclusive and accessible for all people, including disabled and able-bodied children and their carers.

The NSW Government is encouraging creators of new play spaces to design and build them in accordance with the new NSW Government guidelines once they are finalised through community consultations. In addition to this, all existing play spaces in NSW are to be reviewed as part of an in-depth assessment that will identify where improvements can be made to further promote access for individuals, parents and children with mobility limitations or added needs.

“With 1.3 million people in NSW living with a disability, an ageing population who is increasingly involved in the everyday care of grandchildren, and a multi-cultural society, play spaces should provide an inclusive experience for all,” commented the NSW Minister for Planning and Housing.

“Inclusive play spaces should be easy to access, easy to move around in, provide a range of play types and challenges, and be equipped with appropriate amenities, in a comfortable environment. Inclusive play spaces allow everyone to stay for as long as they like,” Mr Roberts stated.

‘Everyone Can Play’ is a five-year program that will fund councils to renew, renovate or redesign existing local play spaces, and provide better designed and more inclusive play spaces.

“There are more than 6,000 play spaces in NSW that are managed by local government and the NSW Government is supporting the program with $20 million in funding to help councils create or upgrade play spaces in their area,” Mr Roberts shared.

Commissioner of Open Space and Parklands, Fiona Morrison also commented on the news this morning, stating that the draft inclusive play space guidelines were created through a collaborative approach between the Government, local councils, architects and the community.

“They are based on three simple questions: Can I get there? Can I play? Can I stay? We want these three questions to be front-and-centre in the minds of everyone involved in creating and modernising play spaces across NSW,” she said.

The draft guidelines are on public exhibition until 21 September 2018. More information can be accessed here.

Online Magazine

Free Newsletter

Subscribe to our email newsletter or print magazine.

Product News

Associations

Our Other Titles

Sage Media Group is based in Australia, specialising in trade publications across both print and digital media. National Resources Review is the flagship masthead and Build Australia is the company’s second title.